Fifteen-year-old Aiden Hustins of Portage recently spent four weeks at the Vernon Cadet Training Centre taking part in the Fitness and Sports Instructor Course.
The program brought together roughly 400 cadets, all learning the skills needed to lead fitness activities and sports for their peers.
The course focuses on practical instruction and leadership development.
“Mostly we were running around doing sports, learning how we could teach them, learning where our mistakes are and how we could fix them," said Hustins. "All the critical thinking and making sure everything goes right with those activities. I think the best part I had there was probably running the activity. So that was a lot of fun.”
In addition to physical training, cadets gain skills in organization and teamwork, preparing them for potential careers in fitness and sports instruction.
As a dedicated participant in multiple sports, Hustins mentions, “It is a really big thing with me. I'm in lots of sports, so it was such a good experience to go out and run around and do some sports out there.”
He says that while his group mainly focused on Ultimate Frisbee, other cadets engaged in soccer, kickball, and various activities.
Hustins has been part of the cadets for three years and says he joined after being inspired by the movie Top Gun.
Hustins continues, “It was just a fun time. I would recommend it for all if you can.”
He is entering grade 10 this fall, and the cadet program resumes shortly after school starts, giving students the opportunity to continue developing leadership, teamwork, and fitness skills.
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